Continuous Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Analgesia In Different Open Abdominal Surgical Procedures: A Case Series

There has been a significant shift away from epidural analgesia following open abdominal surgery within an enhanced recovery programme. Various alternative techniques have been reported but suffer from limitations. Continuous erector spinae plane block have been described inlower abdominal surgery. Adult patients undergoingopen upper abdominal surgery, where thoracic epidural analgesia was refused or contraindicated, were offered continuous erector spinae analgesia. Surgical procedures included radical nephrectomy via a roof top incision, open nephrectomy via flank incision, liver resection, radical cystectomy and emergency laparotomy. Although erector spinae analgesia provides some visceral analgesia, it may be premature to rule that erector spinae analgesia can provide effective visceral analgesia and thereby avoid opioid supplementation following major open abdominal surgery. Continuous erector spinae plane analgesia may have the potential to be the analgesic technique of choice for providing somatic analgesia following any surgery on the abdomen.